MARCH, 2019 | Th e HEALTH
ISSUE: CERVICAL CANCER
17
CERVICAL CANCER
IS THE NO.3 MOST COMMON
CANCER AMONG
MALAYSIAN WOMEN A c t
AN AVERAGE OF
2000-3000 ADMISSION
Now!
Cervical Cancer Cases Each Year
Source: Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Crude Incidence Rate of New Cases
Between 2007-2011
6.8 PER
100,000 WOMEN
Source: Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report. 2007-2011, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Cervical Cancer Patient
Estimated Annually
621 DEATHS
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer, (GLOBOCAN 2012)
RISK FACTORS
Almost all cervical cancers
are caused by Human
Papilloma Virus (HPV)
*HPV vaccination is
recommended for preteen boys
and girls to reduce the risk of
cervical and other cancers
Having first sexual
intercourse at
a young age
SYMPTOMS
Having HIV (the virus that
causes AIDS), a weakened
immune system, or another
condition that makes it hard
for your body to fight off
health problems
Having several
sexual partners
?
Unusual bleeding
Heavier Periods
Increased vaginal
discharge
Using birth control
pills for a long time
(five or more years)
>50
years
old
Bleeding after
intercourse, douching
or pelvic examination
SMOKING DOUBLES THE RISK
OF CERVICAL CANCER
Source : IDAHO Department of Health and Welfare
Pain during
intercourse
Bleeding after
menopause
Source : National Health Service, UK
BE PROACTIVE : PREVENTION & EARLY DETECTION
IS BETTER THAN CURE
WELLBEING OF WOMEN (WOW)
The National Population and Family Development Board
(NPFDB) has introduced a Pap Smear program that allows
women to undergo screening services and it is available at
any NPFDB's Nur Sejahtera Clinics or mobile clinics nation-
wide.
In order to increase the awareness among women on Cervical
Cancer, a touch point project on Wellbeing of Women (WoW)
had been organised by NPFDB which offers free Pap Smear
screening throughout Malaysia from 1st September until 15th
February 2018.
Pap Smear screening will help women to detect any signs of
precancerous or cancerous cells. With close monitoring and
clinical follow-up session, cervical cancer can be detected
at the early stages and be cured.
NUMBER OF PAP SMEAR
SCREENING 2013 - MARCH 2018
12,481
15,251
A total of 29,612 women received
the FREE Pap Smear screening
during the period. From that, 224
cases of abnormality were detected.
21,875
18,605
13,120
7,737
6,854
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
1,352
Source: National Population and Family Development Board
Preventable but
not yet prevented
THE National Population and Fami ly
Development Board (LPPKN) has been
actively promoting and advocating to
women on cervical cancer screening
programmes. They had introduced a pap
smear program that gives women the
opportunity to undergo screening services
and it is available at any of LPPKN’s Nur
Sejahtera Clinics or even mobile clinics
nationwide.
The pap smear screening will allow women
to detect any signs of pre-cancerous as well
as cancerous cells. With close monitoring
and clinical follow-up session, cervical cancer
can be detected at their early stages and be
alleviated.
Around 187,818 women has benefi tted
from the pap smear screening conducted
at KNS since 2008 with 362 positive tests
detected abnormalities of pre-cancerous
changes and early referrals to the nearest
hospitals for convenient, prompt intervention
and treatment.
With the intention to raise awareness
among women on information about
cervical cancer, a project on Wellbeing of
Women (WoW) had been organised and
conducted by LPPKN which offers free pap
smear screening throughout Malaysia from
September 1 up until February 15 2018. A
total of 29,612 women had received the free
pap smear screening in 2018. Thus, about
224 cases of abnormality were detected.
March 18
Other preventable
diseases we should
be aware of
“A clever person
solves a problem,
a wise person avoids
it” – Albert Einstein
BESIDES cervical cancer, there are many other illnesses
that are preventable. Th ere is a trend in many health-
related issues in Malaysia, whereas people living in rural
areas are more aff ected with diseases and conditions.
Th is situation can be related to cervical cancer. Based
on previous researches conducted, it has been reported
that cervical cancer is much more prevalent among
rural than urban women in developing countries
(Wong, Knowledge and Attitudes about HPV Infection,
HPV Vaccination, and Cervical Ca ncer among Rural
Southeast Asian Women, 2010).
There are several preventable diseases such as
Diphtheria, Japanese encephalitis, Measles, Mumps,
Pertussis, Polio, Rubella, Rubella (CRS), Tetanus (neo-
natal), Tetanus (total) as well as Yellow fever.
Many people have access to new treatments to treat
their diseases. However, it would be much better if
there were no diseases to treat. Th e lack of awareness,
knowledge and proper information could be a contrib-
uting factor to this issue. Th e lack of accessibility to
health care services is also a cause of those in rural areas
contracting diseases that are preventable. LPPKN pro-
vides a project called, “PUSAT KELUARGA BERGERAK”
or also known as a mobile clinic. It was established for
the sole purpose of reaching out to people who reside
in rural areas as well as providing reproductive health
services including HPV DNA test and HPV vaccination
to the targeted groups. Prevention is indisputably
better than cure when health is concerned.
Lifestyle choices that cause these diseases come from
lack of awareness. Lifestyle choices have a signifi cant
impact on our susceptibility to chronic diseases such
as heart and lung disease, cancer and diabetes. Th ese
non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as life-
style diseases, are responsible for nearly 70% of deaths
globally. Ischaemic heart disease tops the cause of
deaths worldwide, followed by stroke whereas chronic
obstructive airways disease which is a smoking-related
chronic lung disease, lung cancer and diabetes are the
fourth, fi fth and sixth biggest killers respectively.
Prevention of complications of these diseases sig-
nifi cantly reduces mortality and aids in improving the
quality of life of the person. Modifying certain policies
and regulations, which calls for multi-sector collabora-
tion, is key to ensuring the prevention of the people
contracting diseases that can cause near permanent
damage but can be prevented easily. Th e response of
health care services in spreading awareness on the
related health issues plays a vital role.
Availability of health care resources remains the
basis of prevention. Th e main issue right now is to
create awareness and educate the public on the risk
factors as well as their prevention and management
and information that can prove useful. — Th e Health